Walk of Life – Day 26 – October 2020 – Thoughts from the Book of Proverbs

The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. Proverbs 26: 22

“Surround yourself with people who talk about visions and ideas, not about other people”

Talebearing, gossiping, tattling, speaking behind the back, are all abomination to the Lord. Today, when a group of people gather, even be it at church, we hardly speak about the Word or the message. We speak about the person and defame them to the extent possible. Always remember those who speak bad about others to you will speak bad about you to others.

Always be straightforward and speak on the face. If you think something is wrong and it is someone you know, speak directly. Telling stories helps no one. These words are strong…they go to the innermost parts of the belly.

“In ancient Greece, Socrates (the famous philosopher) was visited by an acquaintance of his. Eager to share some juicy gossip, the man asked if Socrates would like to know the story he’d just heard about a friend of theirs. Socrates replied that before the man spoke, he needed to pass the “Triple-Filter” test.

The first filter, he explained, is Truth. “Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to say is true?” The man shook his head. “No, I actually just heard about it, and …”

Socrates cut him off. “You don’t know for certain that it is true, then. Is what you want to say something good or kind?” Again, the man shook his head. “No! Actually, just the opposite. You see …”

Socrates lifted his hand to stop the man speaking. “So you are not certain that what you want to say is true, and it isn’t good or kind. One filter still remains, though, so you may yet still tell me. That is Usefulness or Necessity. Is this information useful or necessary to me?” A little defeated, the man replied, “No, not really.”

“Well, then,” Socrates said, turning on his heel. “If what you want to say is neither true, nor good or kind, nor useful or necessary, please don’t say anything at all.”

It is very important that before you voice your opinion or answer a question check if it is true, good, kind, or useful. If it passes all these filters, speak. If not, please keep it to yourself.

Let the words of my heart and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight. Psalms 19:14